Listed below are the previous releases of WORKNC DENTAL. To view what features where introduced in each of the releases click the buttons below.

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2017 R2

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2017 R2

WORKNC 2017 R2 Integration
The version of WORKNC is 2017 R2.

Update from versions prior to 2016 R1
Upgrading to WORKNC DENTAL 2017 R2 require that at least WORKNC DENTAL 2016 R1 is installed on the user's computer otherwize the user will face an error message when starting the installation.


Margin line / cavity detection

Custom direction
The direction for margin line detection can now be defined by machine/process in the machine advanced settings.

Detection improvements
  • Margin lines are now cleaned to remove self-intersections and “zigzag” when exported to the workzone.
  • Cavity detection has been improved to better handle slight errors in the margin line.
  • Cases where the whole model was detected as a cavity (usually on abutments) should not happen anymore.
  • If cavity detection fails because the margin is too far from the mesh, the areas where the margin is too far are now displayed in 3d view.

Automatic orientation improvements

The automatic orientation feature has been improved and is now also applied when the model contains multiple implant axes. If the model does not fit in the stock when its axes average is aligned along Z (step 1), then the automatic feature will find the best orientation (axes average closest to Z) to make the model fit in the stock (step 2). If only the step 1 is needed, the model will keep its Z level, if the step 2 is used, the model will be centered vertically.


Global roughing

The standard process now supports a new kind of sequence. The aim of this new sequence type is to manage a global roughing on the whole project.


Implant milling area

Implant milling offset
A parameter named "ImplantMillingOffset" has been added to the implant sequences. It defines the offset around the implant connection that is necessary to mill it. This value will be used to compute the implant milling area needed to deform the wall and to check the implant proximity.

Implant proximity detection
A new feature has been added to the implant step to visualize and detect implant connections that are too close to be milled without damaging each other. This feature displays implant milling cylinders that will enter in collision with other connections on a given model.


Partial stock creation

In the stocks settings, the “Copy as partial stock” feature has been improved and now allows you to import a photo and add silhouette to define milled areas.

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2017 R1

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2017 R1

WORKNC V24 Integration
The version of WORKNC is version 24.04.


Multi-stock projects

Project creation
The project creation workflow has been modified to allow creation of multi-stock projects. Then the user has the choice to either use the new “Fill positions…” mode or to manually select a position and associate models and a stock to it.

Project 3D view
In order to handle multi-stocks projects, the 3D view has been updated. When working on a position you can also see the other elements positioned on your clamping system. You can easily switch between stocks by clicking them in the 3D. When a position is ready for milling, an additional “check mark” will be displayed on it.

Project information panel
The project information panel now contains the list of positions. Each item of the list contains the name of the position, the associated stock and the status of the preparation (a checkmark indicates that the preparation is ready to calculate). Stocks can be moved to another position; if the position already contains a stock, both stocks will be switched.

Split NC files per stock
A new setting to separate NC files per stock has been added to the machine settings, in the “Postprocessors” tab.


Substitution stock

The substitution stock is a way to handle CAD stocks for a very specific process.

The goal is to substitute the original stock by an STL CAD stock during workzone creation and thus to compute the toolpaths using the CAD stock instead of the original definition.


Vertical elliptic pin profile

It is now possible to create support pins using a vertical elliptic profile. Until now, the elliptic profile was only horizontal.


Multiple pins in bar process

A new settings option allows the creation of multiple pins in the bar process.
 

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2016 R2

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2016 R2

WORKNC V24 Integration
The version of WORKNC is version 24.03A.


Nesting by Layer

The objective of this mode is to subsequently fill the stock with small projects. For each project, one layer of models is positioned. Thus, the stock is filled as below. This strategy is particularly optimized for projects with single elements in hard material stock.


Pin Creation

If the layered nesting method is used, an optimization can be applied during automatic pin creation. With this optimization, the first pin on single element and the pins on middle elements are created preferably.

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2016 R1

WORKNC DENTAL Version 2016 R1

WORKNC V24 Integration
The version of WORKNC has been updated. It is version 24.02.


Simulation

WORKNC DENTAL can now simulate the rest material. The simulation can be started from the right toolbar. The first time the button is pushed, it will start the simulation. Successive use of this button will only set the visibility of the simulation (unless the project is re-calculated. In this case, the simulation must be re-computed).


Pin Creation

If the layered nesting method is used, an optimization can be applied during automatic pin creation. With this optimization, the first pin on single element and the pins on middle elements are created preferably.


Measurement Module

Rest Material Measurement
If the stock simulation has been computed and is displayed, it will appear in the Measurement Module. A new measurement mode is then available to measure rest material. If you click a point on the stock, mode is then available to measure rest material. If you click a point on the stock, the remaining thickness to the model will be displayed.


Re-Postprocessing

It is now possible to re-postprocess a list of already calculated toolpaths from a project. This new module is available from the “Toolpaths” tab of the Milling step.


Machine Settings

All settings discussed in this section are reorganized when updating to WORKNC DENTAL 2016 R1. So each machine will retrieve the value previously set.


Database Sharing

WORKNC DENTAL can now be configured in three different modes:

  • Standalone mode: this is the same mode as before and is the default mode.
  • Server mode: in this mode WORKNC DENTAL allows its database to be shared with remote clients. Maintenance operations are allowed if there are no clients connected.
  • Client mode: in this mode WORKNC DENTAL uses a shared database and some maintenance operations are restricted.

WORKNC DENTAL Version 5

WORKNC DENTAL Version 5

WORKNC V23 Integration
The version of WORKNC has been updated, it is now version 23.04.


New User Interface and User Experience

WORKNC DENTAL 5 features a brand-new user interface with refreshed look and feel and better workflow.

Important parts of the redesign are the new project creation menu, regrouped settings and a more direct interaction in the preparation mode.


Creation Mode

This mode regroups everything the user needs to create or open a project in order to prepare it in the preparation mode.


64 Bit Version

WORKNC DENTAL 5.0 is now only available in 64 bit versions.


WORKNC G3 Viewer

The VisuNC application is no longer available. It has been replaced by the new WORKNC G3 Viewer. There is now a unique button which opens the workzone in WORKNC. If a WORKNC license is available, WORKNC will be launched in standard mode; if not, the WORKNC G3 Viewer will be run.


Direct Selection

Items and sub-items can now be directly selected in the Viewing Area without using the Entity Manager.


Pre-milled Process

WORKNC DENTAL 5.0 integrates a new dedicated process for pre-milled stock machining. The model may be automatically positioned in the bar by reading the CAD metadata or manually positioned with a new set of edition functions. The connection to be used may be automatically retrieved from the CAD metadata or user selected.


Measurement Module

This new module, integrated within WORKNC DENTAL allows you to make basic measurements on imported models.

The available measurement modes are:

  • point to point distance
  • point to line distance
  • angle between two lines
  • thickness measurement

You can also display the minimum or oriented bounding box of the model.
You may export a snapshot of the model with the measurement taken.


Implant Sub-references

It is now possible to define sub-references for a given implant. In this way, a “sub-reference” can be defined with a different Z-offset and rotation angle with respect to the original implant. The aim of this feature is to make it easier to manage different connection libraries, without having to redefine the whole implant geometry.

WORKNC DENTAL Version 4.0 - 4.1

WORKNC DENTAL Version 4.0 / 4.1

Integration of new WORKNC V22 calculation algorithms

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 integrates the latest version of WORKNC V22 which offers a wide range of innovative functions ensuring increasingly efficient and reliable toolpaths. WORKNC V22 features new finishing toolpaths along with improved existing toolpaths. For example, the addition of new morphing strategies and spiral transitions finishing toolpaths allow the cutter to be permanently in contact with surfaces to ensure perfect surface finish while reducing machining times to improve productivity.

Automatic positional 3+2 / 5 axis, Automatic undercut machining

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 integrates new automatic cavity recognition algorithms and ensures faultless detection of concurrent or diverging insertion axes offering fully automatic machining on 3+2 or 5 axis positioned machines.
 
This new functionality can provide optimal use of 3+2 machines which do not have simultaneous 5-axis features. Preparation times are significantly reduced as interactive management of undercut re-machining is no longer a necessity. In addition, this new functionality offers a direct display of the various tool vectors.

On the fly direct toolpath edition / template editor

WORKNC DENTAL enables advanced users the ability to modify toolpath parameters and make template changes on the fly, within a simple dialog box. WORKNC’s new template archiving tool make the changes easy for the user. With just a few mouse clicks, template parameters can be adjusted and customized.

Advanced management of machine kinematics

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 takes another step forward in the realm of automatic machining process management by taking into account, before calculations are run, the machine characteristics and kinematics.
 
In this way, jobs are managed in real time during the project preparation phase and users are immediately aware of feasibility issues.

Clamping system editor

WORKNC DENTAL Clamping editor system enables an easy configuration of the clamping system.

Native dental CAD file importing

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 includes converters for all common native dental CAD files. This new functionality allows WORKNC DENTAL to directly import Cerec©, Procera©, 3Shape© and Cercon© files. WORKNC DENTAL can also import IGES files.
 
An integrated graphic interface allows direct selection of elements to assemble and convert.

New 3D display of undercuts

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 offers a real and precise display of existing undercut areas on elements to be machined by also taking into account zones which are inaccessible for machining. This new functionality is particularly interesting and well adapted for analysing complex cavities.

Dynamic element offset extensions

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 allows users to freely define machining extremity curves giving improved accessibility for machining strategic areas of complex prostheses.
 
When using the 5-axis simultaneous re-machining toolpath on undercuts, this function allows (depending on machine kinematics) re-machining angles to be increased in order to provide improved toolpath performance.

New WORKNC DENTAL Implant module features

Numerous improvements have been made to the WORKNC DENTAL implant module; in addition to the library featuring generic connectors which are compatible with the leading brands of implants, the implant module also allows interactive 3D repositioning of prosthesis connectors.
 
Manual detection algorithms have also been optimized to ensure improved recognition and reconstruction of STL models.

New Implant position editor

The new implant position editor utility allows implant creation independently from the CAD and the CAD implant library  the metadata files for implant position, pre-milled configuration. This powerful utility allows the part preparation to add feature based components which will enable automatic toolpath generation and easy milling.

Numerous features and improvements

WORKNC DENTAL V4.0 integrates a wide range of new features and improvements to simplify and automate use of the application:
  • Improved sintering supports for large bridges
  • Machining axis display of the machine
  • Multiple prosthesis offset extensions
  • Communications plug-in for automatic ISO file processing on the machine controller
  • Automatic generation of job related technical documentation
  • Automatic support pin addition and interactive insertion in one click
  • Mouse configuration compatibility with all major dental CAD systems